Smart Parking with AI and IoT: Less congestion and CO2

How can the search for a parking space in cities be optimized? Cleverciti's sensor system uses IoT and AI to improve traffic flow in cities and make parking management more profitable.

A typical day in the city center of Cologne: cars line up bumper-to-bumper as frustrated drivers hunt for a vacant parking space. The situation has worsened in recent years. Many cities, including Cologne, have expanded numerous cycle paths as part of the traffic turnaround, sacrificing lanes — and parking spaces — to do so. Moreover, a new trend emerged during the COVID pandemic and has become increasingly common since then: on-street dining. Restaurants and cafés increasingly utilize parking spaces for outdoor dining, which further adds to the pressure on the remaining parking spaces.

These changes further exacerbate the challenges of finding a parking space in city centers. According to Europe’s largest automobile association, ADAC, around 30 percent of inner-city traffic is attributed to the search for a parking space alone. Paradoxically, even at peak times, only 70 percent of the available parking spaces in cities are occupied on average. The consequences are serious: needless traffic jams, increased exhaust fumes, excessive noise, environmental impact, and a deterioration in the quality of life for residents and visitors.

To tackle the problem, Munich-based Cleverciti has developed an innovative solution in collaboration with the international team of DT IoT: an intelligent parking management system that combines AI-powered sensors with IoT technology.

AI and IoT make it possible to use real-time data for various applications, from smartphone apps and digital display boards to a city's parking space management systems. Cleverciti can continuously improve both the AI models and the software functions through regular over-the-air updates to the sensors, minimizing the need for manual adjustments to the devices.

"Our aim is to reduce traffic congestion and emissions, enable cities to manage parking more effectively, and improve the quality of life for everyone," says David Parker, CEO of Cleverciti. "And, of course, people who drive into the city should be able to find a free parking space more quickly." Using digital displays or a smartphone app to direct drivers to the nearest vacant parking spaces significantly shortens the search time, leading to a noticeable reduction in traffic.

In the Cologne district of Nippes, which implemented the system in 2020, the time spent searching for a parking space fell by an impressive 45%. This time saving means less stress for drivers and positively impacts the city’s overall traffic conditions.  

The environmental aspect is another significant advantage, noticeably reducing emissions and noise in city centers. The project in Cologne-Nippes shows that the distance traveled to find a parking space is cut by 41 percent. This directly contributes to improving air quality and supports cities’ efforts to become more environmentally friendly and livable.

The Cleverciti system opens up completely new possibilities for urban planning. Cities receive detailed analyses of parking space usage, which enables better planning and more efficient management. This data-based approach allows those responsible to make informed decisions when reallocating parking spaces, adjusting parking fees, or developing new traffic concepts.

In Cologne, the average parking space utilization rate rose from 88 to 96 percent – drivers can now find two-thirds of the parking spaces that previously remained unoccupied. This significantly increases the efficiency of the existing infrastructure and the income of the city and parking operators.

Last but not least, local economies benefit from Cleverciti’s solution. City center retailers and restaurateurs often feel the impact of parking difficulties, which deters potential customers. By making it easier to find a parking space, visitors have more time to shop or visit restaurants. This can help revitalize city centers and support local businesses. The system’s implementation in Cologne yielded a positive ROI within two years.

A decisive factor in Cleverciti's success is its collaboration with Deutsche Telekom. "We switched the data transmission from our sensors to Deutsche Telekom's IoT mobile network," says Parker. "Its network’s global coverage, security, and flexible data tariffs were key factors in our decision." Telekom's IoT SIM cards work worldwide. "This means that we can send our devices, which we manufacture here in Germany, to our customers worldwide. No matter where the device is installed, it works immediately."

Networking the sensors via mobile communications enables extensive remote maintenance and update functions. "Deutsche Telekom also offers us flexible data billing based on actual consumption," says Parker. "With other providers, we had to make complicated package changes for each SIM card to upgrade or downgrade depending on the expected data requirements for the month. Deutsche Telekom’s pricing model simplifies our management considerably."

Another crucial factor is security. "With Deutsche Telekom, we have a secure machine-to-machine (M2M) connection and an Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) tunnel to our data centers. Our devices do not communicate via the public Internet, so no one from outside can attempt to access them. This secure connection is vital for us and our customers."

Cleverciti plans to expand its technology to other cities worldwide in the coming years. The company is focusing on optimizing parking space management and integrating the solution into more comprehensive smart city concepts. "One of our latest partnerships in Germany is with the City of Celle, where we implemented a new city-wide parking guidance system," says Parker. "And we have already announced some great projects in the US this year. For example, we have launched our solution in Pasadena, California, West Palm Beach, Florida, and Park City, Utah. And we're not stopping there!"

The partnership between Cleverciti and Deutsche Telekom shows how combining innovative technology and reliable connectivity forms the basis for smart solutions in urban areas. It is an exciting step towards more efficient, sustainable, and livable cities.